Dilemma

[rjent]

I have poured over these threads and forums trying to learn as much as I can about hybrids in general and the Fusion hybrid in particular. I love the idea of a hybrid, I am no greenie, but everything considered, having a comfortable car that will make high 30's to low 40's in gas mileage, is intriguing. But, there is a price to be paid in initial cost (really not a factor to me) and change in operational habits, which I am fine with.

 

Now to my dilemma. My wife and I live in a very small town. We are both retired and our longest trip in this car in town would predominately be no more than 3 miles or so. With the ice needing to run up to temperature, and the short duration runs we would be making (Walmart is a one mile round trip, and our post office is about 3 miles as examples), will this be worth it? We do take long (3000 mile plus) road trips at least once a year.

 

Is this the best choice for this application?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance .... :)

[Riggo]

I have poured over these threads and forums trying to learn as much as I can about hybrids in general and the Fusion hybrid in particular. I love the idea of a hybrid, I am no greenie, but everything considered, having a comfortable car that will make high 30's to low 40's in gas mileage, is intriguing. But, there is a price to be paid in initial cost (really not a factor to me) and change in operational habits, which I am fine with.

 

Now to my dilemma. My wife and I live in a very small town. We are both retired and our longest trip in this car in town would predominately be no more than 3 miles or so. With the ice needing to run up to temperature, and the short duration runs we would be making (Walmart is a one mile round trip, and our post office is about 3 miles as examples), will this be worth it? We do take long (3000 mile plus) road trips at least once a year.

 

Is this the best choice for this application?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance .... :)

 

To me it almost seems like the Energi would be the better option for you. That way you could basically run on all electric power for the majority of your trips.

[cwb1183]

The energi would be exactly what you need however the price is high. If money is no object that is the way I would go!

I have 2 hybrids now and would never go back to a convenitional auto.

By the way, I am retired and live in a small town as well.

I didn't order an energi because of price. I think you would be very happy with a C-Max or Fusion Hybrid.

 

[acdii]

Energi is a viable solution, but expect to pay up to 45K for it. With the plug in you have up to 21 miles in the Cmax/Fusion before it switches to ICE. You can also tell the car when to use the EV mode, so if you live on a rural road that is 55 MPH, like me, you can leave the house on ICE and reserve the EV for when you get to city driving. If the Energi wasn't so expensive, I would have given it a higher consideration as it is good for my daily driving, Hybrid on the highway, electric in the city.

[rjent]

Thanks for all of the quick replies. I have two problems with the energi. The cost, cost isn't a factor when considering the difference from a gas fusion or a hybrid, but the extra cost of the energi seems too much premium, and secondly I don't like the extra 400+ pounds you have to lug around. We are in a mountainous area and lugging that much weight up and down the hills seems counter productive.

 

I am just being a old man about this :hysterical:, and, will I see an improvement in gas cost? Out current Pontiac hardtop convertible gets close to 30 on the highway, but 13 or so running around town on these short hops. Is the hybrid, driven correctly of course, going to improve both h/c mileages? To be honest, I am not as worried about "paying back" the extra cost as I am about 5 dollar gas ...... :)

Edited February 17, 2013 by rjent

[acdii]

If you combine your trips into one, and go to the furthest location first so the car can warm up, then the MPG will be higher than if you just did a bunch of short trips spread out. You have to put at least 5 miles on before EV starts working in cold weather, but in warm weather, then you will see decent MPG on short trips.

 

Or you can do like some do around retirement communities, get a golf cart! :) J/K

 

However, I found that a Focus gets good MPG up around 30 even on short trips, and longer can get past 33. If the Focus were able to accommodate our needs I would have one of those instead, but its just too small.

[rjent]

5 miles? Seriously? ....... :(

 

I just did an egg under my foot route to Walmart and back (1.2 miles) on a warm engine in the Pontiac. It got about 18, don't know if I can always do that because the lights and traffic worked in my favor, but that is probably the best it would see, not the average. Will the hybrid beat that? ( I know that is a very loaded question, but generally speaking .... )

[cwb1183]

You will get better mileage in the hybrid, probably at least twice or more what you are getting now.worst case

Edited February 11, 2013 by cwb1183

[rjent]

You will get better mileage in the hybrid, probably at least twice or more what you are getting now.worst case

 

Outstanding. When we were initially thinking about doing this, I was thinking if I could get into the mid 20's I would be happy. If there is a chance of low 30's, well, I'm all in!

 

Do others concur?

 

cwb, you just made my day! :)

 

We are going to replace this Pontiac this year, it is just with what. I was really hoping the hybrid would do the job. Sounds like it will .....

[B25Nut]

"You will get better mileage in the hybrid, probably at least twice or more what you are getting now.worst case"

 

This is the truth even if you don't play hybrid mileage games. Make the commitment to the FFH. You won't regret it.

[rjent]

Thanks Nut. Your posts are always very informative. Thank you for your feedback. I think we will go drive one Thursday or Friday (an SE) before we order the Titanium.

 

BTW, what do you fly? I just sold two C182's a 59 straight tail and a 76 Skylane. I still have a Tripacer that will probably go soon. My eyes are starting to get weak so I am probably just going to ground myself. You still flying?

[cwb1183]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how great Hybrids are.

If every one were able to drive one for a week I think many more hybrids would be sold.

It makes such sense to not have the engine running at stops, in traffic,at drive thru's etc and the gas mileage is great regardless of what you read in these forums.

 

47 MPG is achievable I'm sure, under certain conditions, but 30-39 is great for a sedan of this size.

15 years ago you couldn't come close to this mileage unless you were driving a sub compact car with 75 or so HP (and that would have been hi way MPG with no power-windows,steering ,brakes,mirrors ,rear cameras, front cameras, blind spot and on and on.

Edited February 11, 2013 by cwb1183

[acdii]

Since you live in a warm state, you probably will see good mileage all the time, only when its 40 and below does the ICE kick in to get warmed up before EV will happen.

[lolder]

If you like airplanes, the FFH is a high tech toy that you won't soon tire of. It is also an elegant design when you learn how it works. You'll be able to coax good mileage out of it even on short trips in moderate temperatures and slower town roads. Get the moon roof if you need to let the heat out in the summertime. They do well at higher elevations also. You'll need a safety driver if you want to drive it on instruments.

[rjent]

Thanks CW, Rigg, nut, ac .. et al

 

I appreciate the input and all of you have helped a bunch.

 

May I ask another question? LOL

 

Is the HVAC compressor run by the ice, and how much gas does it burn during a remote start for warm up. My wife is already grumbling (I have 40 years of experience :)) about what is the point of heated seats if you can't preheat. What kind of a hit does it take?

 

I have a million other technical questions that I would like to ask as well. I believe that they aren't really covered as I have searched for them here, and Ford doesn't talk about them if you will indulge me .... :)

[rjent]

If you like airplanes, the FFH is a high tech toy that you won't soon tire of. It is also an elegant design when you learn how it works. You'll be able to coax good mileage out of it even on short trips in moderate temperatures and slower town roads. Get the moon roof if you need to let the heat out in the summertime. They do well at higher elevations also. You'll need a safety driver if you want to drive it on instruments.

That's funny!

 

I am a very technical type of personality, an ex hotrodder/racecar builder, ex mechanic (transmissions and FI system) as well as a professional computer programmer and IT type of guy. I do like the instruments, but like my instructor of old always taught me ..... keep your head outside of the cockpit. :)

 

 

Thanks for the feedback!

[B25Nut]

"I do like the instruments, but like my instructor of old always taught me ..... keep your head outside of the cockpit"

 

Rjent - This is an issue that worries me a little. I think driving a hybrid can easily lead someone to becoming a heads down type of driver as they concentrate on getting better MPG.

Lolder is right - since you're a pilot, you'll love the FFH even more. One aspect I really enjoy about my FFH is that by properly adjusting my mirrors, I am 100% aware of my surroundings. The rear view camera also relieves a lot of the stress involved with parking and pulling out of parking spaces.

 

I'm an aviation history nut but not a full size pilot. Radio control aircraft take up my flying time. My current project, however, involves models that I hope will lead to a full size 4-6 place aircraft that can be used by the air tourism industry.

[rjent]

That is very cool! Nice looking airplane. Kind of a cross between a Cessna 337 and a wrecked, inverted, Bonanza ..... :) Is it your design? Do you have a production timetable?

 

I played around with R/C airplanes for a while, but couldn't satisfy my "pilotness" enough. I will probably get back into R/C again. I just sold my business and retired about 6 months ago, so I am kind of wandering around wondering what happened right now.....

 

Personally, I think it is harder to fly an R/C plane than the real thing .... FWIW :D

[firsthybrid]

the car is great I think you will enjoy it. I cant get enough of it and it is such a rush to get good mileage. the hybrid is great for in town mileage and should be much better than the pontiac.....daughter has a G6 and overall lifetime mileage is only 20-22 MPG. You should be in the mid 30 range or better depending on your driving style. Have always had GM cars so this was a step out for me to buy a Ford and the data indicates a lot of people switching from other car companies to buy this hybrid. Drove a Volt and certainly a nice car but about 8000 to 10000 more and much smaller inside. Toyota Avalon is also much more expensive. The Wall Street Journal had a nice full page review on this car last month. Consumer reports knocked it for not getting 47MPG but I still think I made a wise investment. Time will tell.

[acdii]

rjent, I think you will appreciate this. My friend owns a B17-E we are working on restoring to flying condition. We are also RC pilots, and it is true, much harder to fly a model than the real thing, spatial awareness, depth of vision, speed are all irrelevant when flying a model plane, but the thrill of taking off, flying around and landing a plane you built with your own hands from a box of sticks is such a thrill. I started with a foam plane with an 18" wingspan, and now have a dozen either flying or in the works. My biggest is an Extra 330L with 104" wing span and twin cylinder 100CC DA gas engine.

 

You can check out our plane at http://www.facebook.com/12595DesertRat

 

 

A few of my planes

 

 

And my big one.

 

[rjent]

the car is great I think you will enjoy it. I cant get enough of it and it is such a rush to get good mileage. the hybrid is great for in town mileage and should be much better than the pontiac.....daughter has a G6 and overall lifetime mileage is only 20-22 MPG. You should be in the mid 30 range or better depending on your driving style. Have always had GM cars so this was a step out for me to buy a Ford and the data indicates a lot of people switching from other car companies to buy this hybrid. Drove a Volt and certainly a nice car but about 8000 to 10000 more and much smaller inside. Toyota Avalon is also much more expensive. The Wall Street Journal had a nice full page review on this car last month. Consumer reports knocked it for not getting 47MPG but I still think I made a wise investment. Time will tell.

Thank you first, I think I will enjoy it as well. I am looking forward to the "challenge" of tweaking the mileage with driving habit changes. We will take a 3000 or 4000 mile road trip in it in Oct (Northwest) and I am really looking forward to that as well. I like the backroads that nobody drives anymore and actually we travel them in the Vettes as well. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country is on the back roads. I am hoping the FFH will excel doing that. It usually adds 3 or 4 hours to a trip, but it is by far worth it. What kind of mileage are you able to coax out of it.?

[rjent]

Wow! Those are beautiful! Is that a Cub clone (miniature) down there on the floor?

 

My dad in the 50's flew rc. In those days they built their own radios....actually had tubes in the aircraft. It was a single pulse radio that moved from neutral, to right rudder to left rudder, to up elevator, to down elevator, and then back to neutral. So if you wanted to turn to the left you pressed the transmit button twice quickly to start the turn, then three time quickly to zero out the control surfaces, then when the turn was completed one press to zero the bank out, then 5 presses to zero out the control surfaces again. Huge engines, lots of weight. They actually had tubes in the fuselage cavity for the receiver. A rubber band wound very tight (like rubber band planes) gave the energy to move the surfaces and the radio just activated a solenoid that released the rubber band power. I was just a kid, but I remember it vividly.

rjent, I think you will appreciate this. My friend owns a B17-E we are working on restoring to flying condition. We are also RC pilots, and it is true, much harder to fly a model than the real thing, spatial awareness, depth of vision, speed are all irrelevant when flying a model plane, but the thrill of taking off, flying around and landing a plane you built with your own hands from a box of sticks is such a thrill. I started with a foam plane with an 18" wingspan, and now have a dozen either flying or in the works. My biggest is an Extra 330L with 104" wing span and twin cylinder 100CC DA gas engine.

 

You can check out our plane at http://www.facebook.com/12595DesertRat

 

 

A few of my planes

 

 

And my big one.

 

[acdii]

The one in the foam carrier is a Kadet LT40, my favorite plane to fly. It is a kit built that I modified during the build to a tail dragger, nearly flat wing, only an inch of dihedral so it holds a bank longer, and bolt down wing. I fly it with a 4 stroke OS .52 and have a blast with it. Had a few rough landings, one that snapped it in half, but unless you look inside would never know. The one in the foreground is a P-51 B/C, behind is a Twin Otter, ready for its maiden, the one on the right is the Extra 330L below a Funtana 90 and above on the left a T-34 that was converted from electric to glow. A few other planes being built, a 4*120 with a 20cc gas engine, a Chipmunk, and in the box still a Corsair. The bare wings on the left are from my ARF 4*120 that one wing snapped off of in flight and died a horrible spinning death. Replaced it with a kit built one, the wing will NOT snap off this new one.

 

 

 

 

dang lxsdisia

Edited February 12, 2013 by acdii

[rjent]

That Chipmunk is a blast to fly. I flew one a while back and man that was a blast. The local club here, which flys at the airport, are always out there on Saturday mornings. I use to "buzz" them in my Tripacer (out of their airspace of course LOL) and then drive over. I didn't land it or take it off, but he let me take over. Nice flier!

 

You guys are making me start thinking about yet another ..... hobby .... :(

The one in the foam carrier is a Kadet LT40, my favorite plane to fly. It is a kit built that I modified during the build to a tail dragger, nearly flat wing, only an inch of dihedral so it holds a bank longer, and bolt down wing. I fly it with a 4 stroke OS .52 and have a blast with it. Had a few rough landings, one that snapped it in half, but unless you look inside would never know. The one in the foreground is a P-51 B/C, behind is a Twin Otter, ready for its maiden, the one on the right is the Extra 330L below a Funtana 90 and above on the left a T-34 that was converted from electric to glow. A few other planes being built, a 4*120 with a 20cc gas engine, a Chipmunk, and in the box still a Corsair. The bare wings on the left are from my ARF 4*120 that one wing snapped off of in flight and died a horrible spinning death. Replaced it with a kit built one, the wing will NOT snap off this new one.

 

 

 

 

dang lxsdisia

[acdii]

ohoh LOL. If you do, dont mention our names to your wife! :)